Wayanad (Kerala), February 18: Senior Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi today met the families of Late Ajeesh and Late Paul VP, who tragically lost their lives in fatal elephant attacks in Wayanad. He also paid condolences to the family of Late Prajeesh, who tragically lost his life in a tiger attack in Wayanad. He also met the families of Lakshmanan, Thankachan and Kunjavaran who were the victims of wild elephant attacks. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured of all the support that the families needed. He assured them of full support during this difficult time.
Later talking to reporters, Mr Gandhi said he had raised the issue with the local administration. He said he had asked for immediate payment of compensation to the families of the deceased. Besides, he demanded that the state government should bear the cost of the treatment of those injured in these incidents.
The Congress MP said it was surprising that the Medical College was taking so much time to complete. He said it was not a very complicated thing to do. He disclosed that he had written to the Chief Minister also flagging his attention on the gravity of the situation in Wayanad caused by the man-animal conflict.
Mr Gandhi observed that the issue also called for coordination between the three states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He offered his support and cooperation to facilitate any such coordination to find a permanent and lasting solution so that precious lives are saved with timely protection and care.
Gandhi was accompanied by AICC general secretary in charge organization, KC Venugopal and other senior leaders of the party from Kerala.
Mr Gandhi had taken an urgent break from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh to meet the bereaved families in Wayanad. Later he returned to Prayagraj to continue the Nyay Yatra.
At the request of the Forest Department and the Veterinary Department, Mr Gandhi flagged off two multi-utility vehicles sanctioned from his MPLADS Fund to mitigate human-animal conflict and ensure speedy treatment of injured domestic animals attacked by wild animals.